Impact Driver to remove Bushings?
- Thread starter rhp
- Start date
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I don't think there's any way to remove bushings with an impact driver. (Unless you're using it as a drift..)
Sick Puppy
Well-known member
Being the n00b here, when you say bushings, you mean like the bushes in suspension components on cars? Or have I missed the point completely?
[sorry if I have, it's 2am here, and I've just finished writing up legalese for work...
]
[sorry if I have, it's 2am here, and I've just finished writing up legalese for work...
]Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
And do you mean an impact driver like this: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=1711&group_ID=223&store=uk&dir=catalog
Or an impact driver/socket? If you mean an impact socket, yes i've used them in hydraulic presses for pressing bearing/bushes/etc in/out. They work very well for it.
Or an impact driver/socket? If you mean an impact socket, yes i've used them in hydraulic presses for pressing bearing/bushes/etc in/out. They work very well for it.
Not quite sure what is meant by "using it as a drift." Please explain.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Yes, an impact driver set like the posted link containing an Impact Driver plus all sockets, screwdrivers, and replacement bits. Not to be used in a press but matching a socket to fit the hole and to drive them out with a hammer.
Being the n00b here, when you say bushings, you mean like the bushes in suspension components on cars? Or have I missed the point completely?
[sorry if I have, it's 2am here, and I've just finished writing up legalese for work...
Yes, to remove radius arm, sway bar & track suspension bushings.
Yes, to be used as a punch. In that case: What would be the difference between an impact driver with an attached socket as opposed to a dedicated bushing driver?
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Yes, you could use the impact sockets for that. (I wouldn't use the drive though, as it would absorb some of the impact, as it turns the square drive when struck.)
I do this sometimes, but in a press. You could use a hammer if you weren't worried about marking the sockets.
I do this sometimes, but in a press. You could use a hammer if you weren't worried about marking the sockets.
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
I'm confused. Impact drivers act like an impact wrench, the hammering action is torsional.
Do you mean an air hammer, that hammers in a linear motion? I've never seen a sway bar bushing that wasn't installed/removed by hand. Control arm bushings are another matter, either requiring an impact wrench for the screw-in type, or a press/chisel/torch to remove the interference fit type.
Do you mean an air hammer, that hammers in a linear motion? I've never seen a sway bar bushing that wasn't installed/removed by hand. Control arm bushings are another matter, either requiring an impact wrench for the screw-in type, or a press/chisel/torch to remove the interference fit type.
These are 30 year old rubber bushings and are pretty well stuck.
Moose-LandTran, When you refer to a press, is it similar to this?:
http://www.sportruck.com/howto/rebuildkit/3.htm
superautobacs
Well-known member
I've witnessed trailing arm bushings come off with the combination of a properly sized, non-impact socket, and a BHF pounding on it.
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
I use my HF 3 in 1 ball joint tool to press out all kinds of bushings. I pressed out the bushings in my scouts leaf springs and the leaf spring hangers on the truck.
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
I have found that suspension bushings come out a lot easier with a screw type puller (Like the one linked above) rather than trying to hammer them out. Helps to spray them with soapy water too.
The remover/installer, below, is similar in design, and was put together to remove oval shaped spring eye bushings.
Attachments
Just curious, but why are bushing drivers like the link below so popular?
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1602&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Or, am I missing something in how to use them?
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I meant a hydraulic press. But yes, those type of presses work well too and can be made easily and cheaply. I have a similar kind of press for pressing rear axle radius bushes into Golfs. It's very simple but works perfect. (It only installs them though..) C-Frame type presses like the one SCscoutguy posted are also good.
An impact driver is NOT what you want. Impact drivers are like impact wrenches. You hit the impact driver with a hammer, the internal parts of the driver convert the linear motion (from being hit with a hammer) into rotational motion, to turn the attached socket. They're used to drive sockets, for removing seized nuts/bolts.
What you want is a bushing driver (like in you link below) or just impact sockets for driving bushes in.
The round adapters are either parallel or tapered drivers in various sizes, you attach them to the rods which you hold and strike with a hammer. They're good for bushes where the steel casing sits level or proud of the rubber insert. Or for driving in bearings. They're also used for driving in tapered bearing races and for driving seals in.
That is the style I have and do use to knock in bushings that are in a blind hole and need little HP to install. Where it is a through hole, my preference is to wind it in using a screw. Just find the control is better and the bushing does not get damaged, never like pounding on things if it can be avoided.
bushhawg73
Well-known member
If I was going to use a socket to knock out a bushing I would use an old extension not and impact driver. The old flee market extension would be the sacraficial part. Bushing driving sets can be had pretty cheep. I have this one and if has been pretty good.
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/otc4505.html
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/otc4505.html
JayL
Well-known member
Is $175 a good price for this slightly used set?
ricleh
Well-known member
That is a great price for that set. That set on ebay in the U.S. would easily go for $500 or more...probably more. That is the Snapon A257 set. Price new is $747.55 before tax.Is $175 a good price for this slightly used set?
ricleh
Well-known member
Use this Snapon PH75A with an air hammer to drive any of the Snapon bushing drivers for really stubborn jobs.
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
problem w/ using power when removing, say control arm bushings in aluminum parts, is the driver can get "away" from you and end up stretching/marring the eyelet and then you are replacing the whole control arm. just be careful with the application of power/impact. slow and steady doesn't usually break anything. knarfling the garthog *****.
Scout Driver
Well-known member
I used this method when installing new leafspring bushings on my Scout. The steel sleeve surrounding the bushing also had to be removed to make room for new polyurethane bushings. The proper sized socket did the job great. And, as previously stated, slow and steady pressure is the way to go. Grade 8 allthread or bolt is reccommended for tougher jobs.
Scott